Chaoyang

Things to do in Chaoyang

Search attractions or local attractions & tours
Search

Explore top experiences

Top 10 attractions in Chaoyang

View all Attractions
Shenyang Imperial Palace
No. 1 of Family-friendly Attractions in Liaoning

Shenyang Imperial Palace

8.5
4.7/5
37.3k reviews

The Shenyang Imperial Palace is one of the two fully preserved palace complexes in China. It served as the imperial palace of the Later Jin before the dynasty entered the pass, and after the Qing dynasty moved its capital to Beijing, it was converted into the Shengjing Temporary Palace (also known as the Fengtian Temporary Palace). The palace houses a large collection of court artifacts left over from the former imperial palace, and precious treasures of the Qing court's old collection can be viewed in the various exhibition halls. The entire palace complex is divided into three routes based on architectural layout and construction sequence: the east route features the Dazheng Hall and the Ten Kings Pavilion built during Nurhaci's reign; the central route comprises the inner palace complex expanded during Emperor Taizong of Qing's reign, including the Daqing Gate, Chongzheng Hall, Fenghuang Tower, as well as the Qingning Palace, Guansui Palace, Yanqing Palace, and Yongfu Palace; the west route includes the Wensu Pavilion and other structures added during the Qianlong period. The Daqing Gate is the main gate of the Shenyang Imperial Palace, commonly known as the Wu Gate. It is a five-bay flush gable roof building, with the roof fully covered in glazed tiles and trimmed with green edges. The wall decorations feature protruding sea water and cloud dragon patterns along with various auspicious beasts, exquisitely crafted. The Chongzheng Hall, commonly known as the "Golden Throne Hall," is where Hong Taiji handled daily government affairs and received envoys. Inside the hall are displayed cultural relics such as a gold-lacquered cloud dragon screen, an openwork golden dragon throne, and gilt bronze luduan incense burners. Above the throne hangs a plaque inscribed with "Zhengda Guangming," written personally by Emperor Qianlong, modeled after the plaque written by Emperor Shunzhi in the Palace of Heavenly Purity in Beijing. The Dazheng Hall, commonly known as the "Octagonal Hall," was also called the "Great Hall" or "Dugong Hall" before the Qing entered the pass. It is an important palace built by Nurhaci and the main building on the east route. Before the Qing entered the pass, important ceremonies such as the emperor's enthronement, New Year's Day congratulations, and the Wanshou Festival banquets were held here. In ordinary times, it was used to convene meetings of the Deliberative Council of Princes and Ministers or to promulgate important edicts. Inside the hall are displayed cultural relics such as a golden dragon throne, a gold-lacquered screen, and cloisonné elephant-backed vases, as well as calligraphy left by Kangxi, Qianlong, Jiaqing, and Daoguang during their eastern tours to Shengjing. The Phoenix Tower is located north of the Chongzheng Hall, standing atop the elevated terrace of the inner court. The three-story tower features a hip-and-gable roof with surrounding corridors, covered in yellow glazed tiles with green trim along the edges. "Phoenix Tower at Dawn" and "Viewing the Pagoda from Phoenix Tower" are counted among the Eight Scenes of Shengjing. The tower houses a plaque inscribed with "Purple Mist from the East" in the imperial handwriting of Emperor Qianlong. The Wensu Pavilion was built during the Qianlong era specifically to store the "Complete Library of the Four Treasuries" and serves as the main structure of the western route; the "Complete Collection of Illustrations and Writings from Ancient and Modern Times" was also stored within the pavilion. Its architectural paintings do not use the dragon-and-phoenix motifs commonly found in palaces; instead, they feature themes harmonious with the function of a library, such as "white horse presenting books," with a fresh and elegant color palette that forms a striking contrast with the red-and-gold-dominated exterior decorations of other palaces. This was also the place where Emperor Qianlong read during his eastern inspection tours.

China · Shenyang
Chaoyang Today's weatherCloudy -8-3℃
Chaoyang weather for the next 2 days11/8: -9-3℃, 11/9: -6-10℃

Free things to do in Chaoyang

What travellers say about Chaoyang

user-avatar
乖巧的小迷妹14 December 2024
5.0
The Swan Lake in Hongcun, Beipiao, Liaoning Province has clear water and shady trees. With the improvement of the ecological environment, more and more swans are wintering here. The scenic area has special people responsible for their care. The swans wintering here attract photography enthusiasts from all over the world to come and take pictures. The swans here sometimes play in the water and sometimes take off into the air.

Swan Lake Ecological Tourism Scenic Area

user-avatar
冰点米兰28 September 2025
5.0
这里是最美的风景小镇,小城不大,如诗如画哦!不来感受不到,来了就感觉没有早点来!【景色】绿水青山一样不少【趣味】有各种游玩的景区【性价比】特色美食、古城利州,玉龙谷温泉……玩不过来的,快来吧!今天从中国移动营业厅又看到了喀左手绘游览图。这些图片是喀左游玩的宣传片,我手机拍下几张让大家分享!

Kazuo Longyuan Tourist Area

user-avatar
水漫三楼7 September 2024
5.0
The South Tower of the Twin Towers in Chaoyang City, Liaoning Province, is included in the eighth batch of national key cultural relics protection units. After walking around the tower, I only saw the Liaoning Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Monument, but did not find the National Cultural Relics Protection Monument. This should be considered a mistake. Chaoyang South Tower was first built during the Dakang period of the Liao Dynasty. It was built with blue bricks and is a square hollow thirteen-level dense eaves style. The square brick base has a Xumi pedestal on the seat, two layers of waist at the bottom, and an upturned lotus seat at the top to support the tower body. There is a vaulted door in the center of the south side of the tower body, with a canopy carved on it, which leads to the tower chamber. There are false doors in the middle of the other three sides, and the door shed is decorated with rolling cloud patterns and a canopy hanging from it. Two stone tower inscriptions are embedded on each side of the upper part of the tower body. All the inscriptions on the pagodas are in order: the pagoda where King Suddhodana was born, the pagoda where he attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, the pagoda where the Dharma wheel was in Deer Park, the pagoda where the name of the Solitary Garden was given, the pagoda at the edge of Kusutama, the pagoda at Mount Jigme, the pagoda at Amravati Grove, and the pagoda where he passed away in the Boro Grove, depicting eight important periods in the life of the Buddha Shakyamuni from his birth to his passing away. Various believers have been worshipping under the pagodas one after another, and the power of faith is amazing.

Nanta Residential District

user-avatar
美梦成真123!!31 October 2020
5.0
The museum houses cultural relics and treasures that have been preserved from the local ancient culture.

Jianping Museum

user-avatar
Josie6 November 2026
5.0
Ticketing was convenient and quick, the attractions were excellent, and I gained a deep understanding of historical events, experiencing history immersively. By the way, Zhang Shaoshuai's house is really huge! The queue for the Grand Green Building was too long to go in, but I'll go again next time!

Marshal Zhang's Mansion Museum

user-avatar
邵雲天6 October 2026
5.0
A great experience! I'll definitely go up to Simendong next time. Beautiful scenery and a very easy hiking route. Jianping has beautiful scenery. Afterwards, you can also visit the Xiaopingfang Scenic Area.

Tianxiu Mountain Forest Park

user-avatar
M48***7814 July 2021
5.0
I am really looking forward to the opening of Yulonggu Amusement Park. Both adults and children in my family can't wait. We are just afraid that it will rain that day, otherwise we will definitely be the first to go there. It looks so exciting, it's really good! There will be a good place to take children in the future! Thumbs up for Chaoyang!

Yulong Valley Tourism Resort Happy World

user-avatar
M22***035 November 2026
5.0
Autumn deepens in Shengjing, a century of gentle tranquility awaits at the Shenyang Imperial Palace. My trip to Shengjing in November coincided perfectly with the pleasant season at the Shenyang Imperial Palace. With fewer tourists, there was no need to squeeze through crowds for photos, allowing for a leisurely and relaxed pace. Unlike the grandeur of the Forbidden City in Beijing, this palace outside the Great Wall possesses a unique, simple charm characteristic of the early Qing Dynasty, quiet and captivating in the soft autumn sunlight. Entering through the Great Qing Gate, the hustle and bustle of the city is instantly shut out behind the red walls. The entire tour route is full of surprises; most of the halls are open to the public, allowing visitors to examine the paintings, furnishings, and artifacts inside, rather than just gazing from afar through fences, enabling a more authentic experience of the past. The East Road is its most recognizable section, with the octagonal eaves of the Dazheng Hall, simple yet majestic, and opposite it, the Ten Princes' Pavilions, a vivid testament to the Eight Banners system. The autumn sun slanted across the glazed tiles and blue bricks, casting shifting shadows. Occasionally, a fallen yellow leaf drifted to the edge of the platform, the stillness seeming to whisper of bygone eras. At the heart of the central axis lies the Chongzheng Hall, where Emperor Huang Taiji held court; its painted decorations remain vibrant. The Phoenix Tower stands tall, once the highest point in Shengjing (Mukden), its steps leading to layers of palace courtyards. Architectural details blending Manchu, Han, and Mongolian styles are hidden among the pillars and windows; a closer look reveals hidden gems at every turn. My favorite area was the Wensu Pavilion on the western axis. The courtyard was serene, once a repository of books. Fewer tourists, quiet corridors—perfect for a moment's rest, gazing at the eaves and the blue sky. No noise, only the wind rustling through the courtyard, a gentle sense of history washing over you. The fewer crowds and the abundance of exhibitions were the biggest pluses of this trip. No need to rush; you could linger anywhere, carefully reading the explanations within the halls, slowly capturing the atmosphere of late autumn against the red walls. A leisurely half-day stroll under the red walls of Shengjing in November offers a comfortable and unhurried experience of exploring the past.

Shenyang Imperial Palace

user-avatar
浅末回首31 October 2020
5.0
The Yan Great Wall of the Warring States Period is the earliest Great Wall ruins. There is no complete wall, but rows of broken rocks and low stone piles.

Great Wall Site of Yan Dynasty

Trip Moments in Chaoyang

Popular cities near Chaoyang

Frequently asked questions

How can I contact Trip.com customer support?

Get help anytime, anywhere within 30 secondsContact customer support

Change and cancellation policies vary by attractions and tours. Please check the product details page for more information.

Ticket prices may vary between weekdays and weekends, as well as during peak and off-peak seasons. When booking with Trip.com, you can also use Trip Coins to get extra savings. For more tips on booking discounted tickets, please visit Trip.com for the latest information.